AquaMelt Oneshots [Oshi No Ko]

until the end, without rest (on the stage)

Melt changed since Sweet Today.

Aqua noticed that right from the first cast meeting for Tokyo Blade.

Not only his mannerism, but his acting as well. Being surrounded by professionals who had been in the industry for years, Melt's rookie acting stood out, making him look much worse than he actually was. Despite that, he kept up the work without much complaint.

Each day he showed up, improving little by little in ways that Aqua never expected.

It interested him.

Melt was an interesting person, Aqua decided.

Why he was so determined to keep up with acting was completely beyond Aqua. With Melt's good looks, he could have easily stuck to being a model, getting easy money without putting much effort.

When Aqua had met Melt, he seemed to be someone who didn't want to put effort in anything. An immature child who couldn't care less that he dragged everyone down. A spoiled model who assumed that he would get everything he wanted in life.

What changed?

Perhaps Aqua had been wrong about Melt the whole time. Perhaps Melt had always been working hard, and Aqua had never seen it. Or perhaps something woke him up, making him realize his faults and inspiring him to do better.

He constantly spoke about his failures in Sweet Today, his eyes clouded with guilt and regret. It seemed that every time Melt made an improvement, he couldn't help but wish he did that soon, back while Sweet Today was still running.

But no matter how much Melt wished desperately he could undo the past, it would never happen.

Aqua supposed he knew that feeling all too well.

The rest of the cast had low expectations for Melt, that much was clear. Constant whispers about how he was slowing them down, and how it would be better to replace Melt as soon as possible.

Yet, for some reason he did not understand, Aqua believed in Melt. Someone with that level of determination— with that level of guilt wouldn't let the show crash and burn that easily. Which was why Aqua supposed he couldn't find himself too concerned— at least, not to the level he was when he watched Melt in Sweet Today.

In a way, he was excited to see the outcome. To see where a month's worth of hard work would leave Melt. Surely it would be something worth the audience's time, Aqua thought.

It seemed he wasn't the only one who had taken an interest in Melt.

Arima, as well, seemed curious.

With her strong passion for acting, Arima was even more critical of Melt than Aqua was. Throughout the day of the first cast meeting, she always gave Melt a look of doubt. She was probably wondering the same thing Aqua was: Why was Melt casted into this play in the first place?

He was the only one who had little to no experience— with his experience being a complete mess.

The two of them found their answer quickly. Their talks of Melt changed from judgmental to curiosity, perhaps with a sprinkle of fascination.

"That guy has a ridiculous amount of stamina." Arima pointed out one day, completely out of the blue.

"Who? Narushima?" Aqua didn't look up from his script.

"Who else?"

Aqua could hear Arima toss her script across the couch with a thud, making Aqua look up from his own script.

"Don't you think it's a bit weird?" She asked.

"Well, I guess he doesn't look like someone who likes physical activity..."